Korean private education institutes are experiencing a sea change after the Education Ministry last month announced revised admissions policies for local foreign-language high schools.

Because the new policies emphasize grades instead of foreign-language test scores, language institutes are seeing a drop in student enrollment.

According to a language institute in Daechi-dong, Seoul, identified only as T, which specializes in foreign-language high school admission classes, the number of middle school students starting classes there during the winter vacation decreased 30 percent compared to the same time the previous year.

“Last year, an average 800 students enrolled per month, but starting this year the number is down to 600,” said an employee at the institute. The employee added that the school used to take up three buildings but now occupies only one.

In mid-December, the Education Ministry announced that English proficiency test scores, English listening and interview tests will be scrapped for admissions screening at local foreign-language high schools.

Instead, students will be admitted based on their grades, principals’ letters of recommendation, study plans and portfolios.

At a foreign-language preparatory institute in Bundang, Gyeonggi, identified as A, the situation is similar.

In previous years, the institute averaged 1,000 or so students. This has decreased by as much as 20 percent. And the Sangbo Language Institute in Daechi-dong got rid of its foreign-language admissions class altogether.

Meanwhile, private institutes with comprehensive study programs are seeing a rise in enrollment. Daesung N School, a private school in Songpa District, Seoul, operates a comprehensive preparatory program that includes classes in the Korean language, English and mathematics. Last month, 75 students signed up for the program, with 30 more soon following suit.

“Many students enrolled after hearing that our classes focus on raising school grades as well as helping boost scores for certification exams for the Korean language, mathematics and Chinese characters,” said Kim Bak-hyeon, head of the admissions strategy and research division at the institute.

Some students are even giving up foreign-language high schools altogether. Lee Hae-rah, 40, the mother of two middle school students, said, “I wanted to send them to foreign-language high schools but after consulting with private institute teachers, I am now leaning toward sending them to autonomous high schools.”

Some students who have returned to Korea after studying abroad are now considering going back. “I was looking into sending my kids to a foreign-language high school as their Toefl scores are quite high, but as the revised admissions policy focuses on grades, I am sending them back overseas to study,” said Kim Sun-ja, 43, the mother of two middle school students who have been studying in the United States for two years.

The revision, aimed at decreasing students’ dependency on private education, has been controversial. But the Education Ministry seems to be standing firm with the new policy.

“If students put down scores for language proficiency exams, they will get a disadvantage during the screening process,” said Sung Sam-jae, a manager at the school policy planning division at the ministry.